Planning to learn all I can
- Thread starter sololadysailer
- Start date
Hi,
Just so happens some very nice yachts are built, or were built, in Maine. For example Sabre yachts. Built locally, there might be some good buys in your area. I just noticed on Yachtworld.com a 1980 Sabre 34 for $38K; located in Camden. Sabres are high quality builds. So, even a “vintage” one likely still has a lot of sailing enjoyment left in it. Still, a big boat for a rank beginner. Many sailboats in ME are kept on moorings, probably a lot cheaper than a slip. But, might be a bit tough to live on. Need a dink to get back and forth.
Penobscot Bay can be a challenging sailing venue. Fog, and lots of rocks around, some awash; but, very rich in destinations. You can usually find beginning sailing books in used book stores. I’ve seen many there. Thumb through ‘em; pick one up for a few dollars. I wouldn’t start right off signing up for an ASA course.
Just so happens some very nice yachts are built, or were built, in Maine. For example Sabre yachts. Built locally, there might be some good buys in your area. I just noticed on Yachtworld.com a 1980 Sabre 34 for $38K; located in Camden. Sabres are high quality builds. So, even a “vintage” one likely still has a lot of sailing enjoyment left in it. Still, a big boat for a rank beginner. Many sailboats in ME are kept on moorings, probably a lot cheaper than a slip. But, might be a bit tough to live on. Need a dink to get back and forth.
Penobscot Bay can be a challenging sailing venue. Fog, and lots of rocks around, some awash; but, very rich in destinations. You can usually find beginning sailing books in used book stores. I’ve seen many there. Thumb through ‘em; pick one up for a few dollars. I wouldn’t start right off signing up for an ASA course.
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Thanks, Gambit. I"m not surprised if boats are well made here in New England, given its history. Camden's not too far from me, will wait to see when we're all allowed to venture out, sounds like it might be awhile. I'm sure whoever sells me my boat, may even take me out on a trial run or two. It would be a plus if the mooring goes with it. Will take a peek and perhaps give them a call. . .
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,911
Welcome to the Forum Barbara. Welcome to the den of sailors.
I am with Capta on a dinghy first, and your lake sounds convenient. You may find this summer, lake sailing becomes your new home. Sounds like you enjoy the outdoors.
Like driving the dinghy is that first car you had before you started driving the F250. The sails are of a size you can manage alone or with a friend. Mistakes can be made and recovered from.
Schools and lessons help to figure out what goes where, but do not need to be expensive. If there is a dock with sailing boats, you sound like the kind of resourceful woman able to get a first ride on a boat. It is worth taking a chance and say, Hi.
Books, this forum, the Internet of all things serve to resource questions. The fun happens in a boat on the water.
When you find your sea legs you may find the couple John and Phyllis at Front Page an interesting resource.
There are many inspirational books about sailing and cruising. Some even involve woman (strong women). I know shocking. Here are a couple of favorites
Fair winds
I am with Capta on a dinghy first, and your lake sounds convenient. You may find this summer, lake sailing becomes your new home. Sounds like you enjoy the outdoors.
Like driving the dinghy is that first car you had before you started driving the F250. The sails are of a size you can manage alone or with a friend. Mistakes can be made and recovered from.
Schools and lessons help to figure out what goes where, but do not need to be expensive. If there is a dock with sailing boats, you sound like the kind of resourceful woman able to get a first ride on a boat. It is worth taking a chance and say, Hi.
Books, this forum, the Internet of all things serve to resource questions. The fun happens in a boat on the water.
When you find your sea legs you may find the couple John and Phyllis at Front Page an interesting resource.
There are many inspirational books about sailing and cruising. Some even involve woman (strong women). I know shocking. Here are a couple of favorites
- Escape from the Ordinary, by JULIE BRADLEY
- The Curve of Time: by M. Wylie Blanchet, a Classic Memoir of a Woman and Her Children Who Explored the Coastal Waters of the Pacific Northwest
- Self Sufficient Sailor: Completely Revised and Expanded, by Lin Pardey, Larry Pardey
Fair winds
The suggestions of buying a smaller boat to start with is usually good except, don't go too small. Just because a lot of great sailors started out in Optimist dinghies doesn't mean you should. As we mature we may not be quite as limber as we once were. Capsizing and ducking the boom aren't as easy as a 15 year old kid makes it look from a more mature vantage point.
I would suggest getting a keel boat, or at least a more stable trailer sailor. Your F250 would be able to stretch the upper limits of "trailer" sailor. There are a lot of boats that would fit in that category for under $5k. Search Craig's list, or whatever online local stuff for sale site gets used most often around you, for that range of boats. For bigger boats check out www.yachtworld.com and enter your parameters. I suggest not going over 35 feet for solo sailing, but you would probably be very comfortable in the 30~33 foot range. Something like a Catalina 310 which might be a bit on the high side of your price range, but is a great example of a lot of boat in 31 feet.
I will second the opinion of keeping about $15k in reserve for fixing/replacing/buying things after buying the boat. I just bought a new to me boat last year and I've already got a list longer than my arm of things to fix.
When you do find that bigger cruising boat you like, have a reputable surveyor check it out first!!! This is even more important since you are new to boats. You might spend $700 to $1000 on the survey but it will be invaluable if they find something not right with the boat. If it's a big problem you saved a lot of money and heartache by getting out of the deal. If it's a smaller problem you can deal with, and you really love the boat, you can almost always negotiate the price down and save at least the cost of the survey based on the findings and you will know up front where some of that $15k needs to go.
I've been sailing for 50 years, owned a boat for more than 20 and I still am very glad I had a surveyor check out my new boat before buying. He found some things I was willing to work with but I did get the price down by much more than the cost of the survey. In the end, a very valuable service.
I would suggest getting a keel boat, or at least a more stable trailer sailor. Your F250 would be able to stretch the upper limits of "trailer" sailor. There are a lot of boats that would fit in that category for under $5k. Search Craig's list, or whatever online local stuff for sale site gets used most often around you, for that range of boats. For bigger boats check out www.yachtworld.com and enter your parameters. I suggest not going over 35 feet for solo sailing, but you would probably be very comfortable in the 30~33 foot range. Something like a Catalina 310 which might be a bit on the high side of your price range, but is a great example of a lot of boat in 31 feet.
I will second the opinion of keeping about $15k in reserve for fixing/replacing/buying things after buying the boat. I just bought a new to me boat last year and I've already got a list longer than my arm of things to fix.
When you do find that bigger cruising boat you like, have a reputable surveyor check it out first!!! This is even more important since you are new to boats. You might spend $700 to $1000 on the survey but it will be invaluable if they find something not right with the boat. If it's a big problem you saved a lot of money and heartache by getting out of the deal. If it's a smaller problem you can deal with, and you really love the boat, you can almost always negotiate the price down and save at least the cost of the survey based on the findings and you will know up front where some of that $15k needs to go.
I've been sailing for 50 years, owned a boat for more than 20 and I still am very glad I had a surveyor check out my new boat before buying. He found some things I was willing to work with but I did get the price down by much more than the cost of the survey. In the end, a very valuable service.
Hi Js, thank you for your message. I feel fortunate to be in the midst of so many knowledgeable "boat people!"
I believe I am one of those "strong woman" types. I have always enjoyed trying things out on my own. You may be right, especially with what's going on with this virus, to stay close to home. There are many lakes near me, and I could sure utilize this summer learning on something I could trailer to.
My nature has always been a "why not" attitude, not sure where that comes from, but have a history of doing things when I'd been told
I could not. Here at camp, which the realtor said was "too rustic to live in" ha, I chop my own firewood, get water from the stream, and right now walk half a mile to my truck because I"m snowed in. I don't see it as a hardship at all, but I'm restless to do something new, and since I love the sea, trying out living on a boat feels right.
I understand the suggestions to buy something small to learn on, and I think during this crisis, the timing seems to work since I'll be pretty much stuck here anyway. To buy my "dreamboat" I'll have to sell this place, which probably won't sell this year.
Someone mentioned "trailer sailer", hadn't heard that expression before. That could be an option as well, but then I'd have to sell it to buy that target boat.
In time this will all evolve, and I enjoy all this new information. Thank you so much!!
Barbara
I believe I am one of those "strong woman" types. I have always enjoyed trying things out on my own. You may be right, especially with what's going on with this virus, to stay close to home. There are many lakes near me, and I could sure utilize this summer learning on something I could trailer to.
My nature has always been a "why not" attitude, not sure where that comes from, but have a history of doing things when I'd been told
I could not. Here at camp, which the realtor said was "too rustic to live in" ha, I chop my own firewood, get water from the stream, and right now walk half a mile to my truck because I"m snowed in. I don't see it as a hardship at all, but I'm restless to do something new, and since I love the sea, trying out living on a boat feels right.
I understand the suggestions to buy something small to learn on, and I think during this crisis, the timing seems to work since I'll be pretty much stuck here anyway. To buy my "dreamboat" I'll have to sell this place, which probably won't sell this year.
Someone mentioned "trailer sailer", hadn't heard that expression before. That could be an option as well, but then I'd have to sell it to buy that target boat.
In time this will all evolve, and I enjoy all this new information. Thank you so much!!
Barbara
Hi Darcy, I just saw your post. I will absolutely find an expert to approve whatever boat I find. I am well aware that one, I have no idea what to look for, and two, I could be an easy target to take advantage of.
I like the idea of finding something to haul since I will be living in this camp for at least another year or two. I can either tow it to the many lakes nearby or to the ocean. Great suggestions here, I"m so lucky to have found this place. I can also keep it here (have twelve acres) on my property instead of paying winter storage fees, and of course, ask a ton of questions here about fixing it!
What's the biggest boat I could tow and launch by myself? I have no trouble towing anything, having hauled my RV around the US for two years. I think the more important issue is being able to launch and put it back on the trailer by myself.
thanks so much
Barbara
I like the idea of finding something to haul since I will be living in this camp for at least another year or two. I can either tow it to the many lakes nearby or to the ocean. Great suggestions here, I"m so lucky to have found this place. I can also keep it here (have twelve acres) on my property instead of paying winter storage fees, and of course, ask a ton of questions here about fixing it!
What's the biggest boat I could tow and launch by myself? I have no trouble towing anything, having hauled my RV around the US for two years. I think the more important issue is being able to launch and put it back on the trailer by myself.
thanks so much
Barbara
You might be surprised what you can ramp launch. Here is a Nor'Sea 27 being ramp launched
I don't suggest you go that big right away but it shows a very comfortable trailer sailor if you want to go that route. Launching and retrieving is probably not the hardest part. Stepping the mast and rigging by yourself will be more of a challenge. There are a lot people that launch, step the mast and rig by themselves so it can certainly be done with the right setup. I am no expert, the best place to ask about this is right here Trailer Sailors
I love your boat! I can see myself having a lot of fun with one of those- I forgot to mention when I was married In California years ago, we used to take our ski boat out and launch it for the day, forgot I did that, it was so long ago. May I ask what that would cost? Could I sail something like that from northern Maine (Eastport) down to Marblehead, and maybe the cape? Wow, I could have so much fun with a boat like that, maybe even put solar on there somewhere..... POssibilities are endless......
thanks so much for posting that
Barbara.
thanks so much for posting that
Barbara.
Trailer sailors (i.e., the boats) are transported with the mast down; you have to put it back up (i.e., “step the mast”), then take it down again after sailing. I’ve owned two 20-ft boats with trailers, one a fixed keel (2000 lbs displacement), the other a lock-down dagger-board type (1000 lbs). You basically need at least two crew to raise and lower the mast at the launch ramp (watch it being done in the Nor’Sea Youtube). Three is better for the heavier boat. Somebody must steady the mast up-right while the other attaches/ tightens the turnbuckles of the shrouds, etc. You must do this every time you go out unless the boat can be stowed nearby fully rigged, and there are no wires over the street between it and the launch ramp. Your lake may have a place, a lot, where stowage space can be rented; that would be good. IMHO you’ll quickly tire of the rig & unrig routine, which will inhibit your taking the boat out for a 1 to 2 hr day-sail. I kept the 1000-lb boat rigged on its trailer in a lot near the ramp. We’d rig and launch the 2000-lb fixed-keel for a season and keep in a slip (mountain lake), or keep in a slip in Long Beach over several months at a time, etc.
A boat smaller than 20 ft, say around 16 ft, therefore, should be your target if you go in that direction.
But if you just wish to rig (with help) and launch, keeping the boat in the water for a while—say a full season, then it should work out fine with a larger boat.
A boat smaller than 20 ft, say around 16 ft, therefore, should be your target if you go in that direction.
But if you just wish to rig (with help) and launch, keeping the boat in the water for a while—say a full season, then it should work out fine with a larger boat.
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Barbara
You asked if you could take the Nor'Sea 27 safely down the coast. There is a website that has specs. on just about every sailboat made. It is
Sailboatdata.com
You can find the "safety" and "comfort" numbers on this site also.
I've attached a PDF document that I created for myself that summarizes what these numbers mean.
If you look up the Nor'Star 27 you will see that it is rated as a Moderate blue water coastal cruiser. So... yes... a rather safe boat.
As far as what they cost.... here is one for sale in Annapolis
www.yachtworld.com
BTW: A good place to shop for sailboats is a site called "Sailboatlistings.com" This site (SBO) also has boats for sale.
You asked if you could take the Nor'Sea 27 safely down the coast. There is a website that has specs. on just about every sailboat made. It is
Sailboatdata.com
You can find the "safety" and "comfort" numbers on this site also.
I've attached a PDF document that I created for myself that summarizes what these numbers mean.
If you look up the Nor'Star 27 you will see that it is rated as a Moderate blue water coastal cruiser. So... yes... a rather safe boat.
As far as what they cost.... here is one for sale in Annapolis
Boats for sale - YachtWorld
Find new or used boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of boats to choose from.
www.yachtworld.com
BTW: A good place to shop for sailboats is a site called "Sailboatlistings.com" This site (SBO) also has boats for sale.
Also remember... it is a trailerable boat so... you dont HAVE to sail it down the coast. You could have a favorite port in Maine for the summer and as the season draws to a close, put it on the trailer and go south to another favorite port... I'm kind of partial to Oriental NC but you could go further.
Marinas that cater to sailboats often have a crane they use to help people step the mast.
.... and while hauling... you can always use your boat like an RV. Just find a walmart to park in.
Marinas that cater to sailboats often have a crane they use to help people step the mast.
.... and while hauling... you can always use your boat like an RV. Just find a walmart to park in.
Yeah. If you take it to a yard to launch, they’ll do the whole thing for you. Drive it in. They will rig it and deploy, etc. If you’re going to be out for a season, the cost for that service (x2 b/c you have to come back out at some point) would be “justifiable.”
Not my boat, Greg is an old contributor to a bulletin board a bunch of us here used to belong to. He and his wife are what I consider to be a great example of what trailer sailing can be. They haul the boat across the country to where they want to sail, launch and spend a week, a month, several months cruising. It really is a great boat, very sea worthy but road trailerable without permits. It could easily be handled by one person but may need a second (or third) to step the mast. I seem to recall a setup Greg posted at some point showing a single hander that was able to rig by himself. If you flip through his videos you might find it. If you are looking for inspiration Greg's videos are a great place to start.
Greg Delezynski
Short videos of what and where the Nor'Sea 27, Guenevere, and her crew go to and do.
Another neat, trailerable pocket cruiser is the Nimble Kodiak. A boat similar to the Nor'Sea is Pacific Seacraft - there is a 24 footer, 25 footer and a 27 footer. I'm not sure if the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27 is truly trailerable as it is a bit wider.
So many options
More great info. My question about sailing from Maine to Marblehead was for the very reason that I would love to. It is so incredibly beautiful along the New England coast, have only seen it from the land. It would be pretty spectacular to follow down, past Acadia National Park (stopping to check it out and get some more clam chowder) and just explore till I get "home" meaning my childhood home again. How awesome it would be (which I want to research) to stop at various islands along the way to either campout or anchor near. That's what I meant by traveling down there, and if this boat would be seaworthy enough for that, weather depending of course.
Great thoughts on the set up also. If I were to come across something promising, that would work, to have help at the marina. I tend to like doing things on my own, and don't like to ask for help, but I see that in this scenario, might be best.
The closest marinas to me, which are a bit more than an hour away, is Eastport, and Lubec. I haven't called them yet, but plan to check out what they charge, offer, and even if they plan to open. It might be worth my while to keep it there since I plan to sail for weeks at a time once I"m on board. Heck, they might even have something for sail (pun intended) that already has a mooring. That would be great.
I can't wait till I can post about all my mistakes, adventures, and fun!
You are all so very helpful as I figure this all out.
Barbara
Great thoughts on the set up also. If I were to come across something promising, that would work, to have help at the marina. I tend to like doing things on my own, and don't like to ask for help, but I see that in this scenario, might be best.
The closest marinas to me, which are a bit more than an hour away, is Eastport, and Lubec. I haven't called them yet, but plan to check out what they charge, offer, and even if they plan to open. It might be worth my while to keep it there since I plan to sail for weeks at a time once I"m on board. Heck, they might even have something for sail (pun intended) that already has a mooring. That would be great.
I can't wait till I can post about all my mistakes, adventures, and fun!
You are all so very helpful as I figure this all out.
Barbara
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,911
Ok it shows we like our boats. Perhaps it goes even deeper.
For your consideration I think the Montgomery line makes an excellent entry into the sail boat world. I had a 15ft that I explored the rivers, lakes and bays of the pacific NW for 15 years. It was easy to rig and sail solo. It was like camping on the water. No frills backpacking your stuff in a 15foot boat.
You could arrive at your destination.
The Montgomery came in several flavors 8 - 15 - 17 - 23.
A couple of links:
http://msog.org/
Nor'Sea Yachts builders of the Nor'sea27, 37 and Montgomery 15 and 17
For your consideration I think the Montgomery line makes an excellent entry into the sail boat world. I had a 15ft that I explored the rivers, lakes and bays of the pacific NW for 15 years. It was easy to rig and sail solo. It was like camping on the water. No frills backpacking your stuff in a 15foot boat.
You could arrive at your destination.
- Sleep in the cabin.
- Get up and be first in the water.
- Sail up to a beach she only drew 1.5ft short keel.
- Spend the night ashore or on the boat.
The Montgomery came in several flavors 8 - 15 - 17 - 23.
A couple of links:
http://msog.org/
Nor'Sea Yachts builders of the Nor'sea27, 37 and Montgomery 15 and 17
A newbie solo sailor in 27-ft pocket cruiser traveling the coast of New England will have AMPLE opportunity to maintain self reliance and independence. That is certainly one appeal of it all, and many take to it, and love it. I think we’re saying, some of us, get to good stuff as quickly as possible and don’t sweat a little help to get going, etc.
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Yup, that's me. I can't explain it, but I"m not fearful of the sea. I"m aware of its unpredictability, and I am sure with all the technology these days to foresee the weather, I'd be fine. What is not good, is that I am NOT mechanical at all. That will be my own personal challenge. We all have our weaknesses, and that's mine, but I make up for it with determination and a willingness to ask (and pay for if necessary) for help along the way.